Devotion
The Last Supper
Frances Taylor
I used to run a Bible School on Good Friday for children in Kindergarten through grade 5 and I would take them through all of Holy Week. We started by making palms and marching around the hall and finished with an Easter Celebration. Our celebration of the Last Supper became our snack break. I would have the kids who wanted to be the apostles or Jesus to line up and they were chosen at random to fill the spots. The one who got to be Jesus was very happy until he or she found out that he or she needed to wash the feet of the other twelve who were chosen to be the apostles. And, yes, it was sometimes a girl who got to play Jesus! We have been chosen to be disciples and this means that we are the face and hands and feet of Jesus on earth. Jesus depends on us to bring the Good News to others, and most of the time that is by giving example of how Jesus acted during his time on earth. And just like the boy or girl who got to play Jesus in our Bible school, not all is easy. Sometimes we need to do things that are unpleasant. We can forget that Jesus washed the feet of Judas as well as the other 11. He did this knowing that Judas would betray him. When we are called to witness Jesus' love and compassion in situations where we would prefer to walk away, we need to remember this example of Jesus.
Prayer
Lord, it is not always easy to witness love and forgiveness to others, especially when we think of the other person or group as unworthy. Jesus didn't think anyone was unworthy of his love. Help us to be more and more like Jesus. Amen.
Devotion
Christ Our King
Frances Taylor
This phrase is both a statement and a question. Is Christ my king, or your king, and what does it mean to say yes? Today's gospel is a very familiar one. How often we hear the story of the "good thief" and take comfort in it. But what about the other criminal? Both men seem to think that Jesus just might be the Christ, the Messiah, but they have very different attitudes about that. The first is thinking only of himself; and tells Jesus to save himself and them while the second is aware of his sinfulness and only asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. Each time I have reflected on this one of the last words of Jesus on the cross, it makes me think. Is just acknowledging Jesus as Messiah enough, or do we need to put that knowledge into action? I once heard it said that the one who knows Jesus best is Satan. So I would guess that just knowing isn't enough! If we truly accept Jesus as King, then our actions must follow. We bow to the...
Morning Prayer
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Inspiration
Through Jesus Christ alone are we made "alive unto God. " If we are dead to sin, then it will lose its power over us. If we are alive to God, we will respond in love and obedience to his Word and his Spirit
Prayer
Help us to live this day as dead indeed to sin and alive indeed to you, O Lord. You are the source of our life and the focus of our life. All of the spiritual exercises that you animate in us are directed back to you as the object of our affection and praise. With renewed minds and wills, let us serve you out of pure heart faithfully. Amen.
